Picture framing clip

ABSTRACT

A picture framing clip is disclosed for securing together a frame backing and facing which have a print disposed between them. The clip comprises a channel member in which the facing and backing are held. A spring is pivotally mounted on the channel member and is positionable to urge the backing and facing against one side of the channel member. Locking means are included for keeping the spring in engagement with the backing and facing.

United States Patent Tate [45] Dec. 9, 1975 PICTURE FRAMING CLIP3,070,914 l/1963 Henderson et a1 40/156 3,186,117 6/1965 Detje [76]Inventor" g gl f g ajsfifg 3,541,714 11/1970 Bruck 40/156 1 90265FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,492,682 7/1967 France 24/255 P [22]1974 280,787 5/1952 Switzerland... 40/1521 [21] Appl. No.: 465,083

Primary ExaminerD0nald A. Griffin U S C] 24/243 P 40/156 Attorney,Agent, or FirmPennie & Edmonds [51] Int. Cl. A44B 21/00 G09F 1/12 [58]Field of Search 40/152, 15271, 156, 157, [57] 40/158 R, 158 B, 159;24/243 P 255 BC A picture framing clip is dlsclosed for securing to- 5 5PC, 255 P 2 5 5 TV, 49 C, 49 CC 49 gether a frame backing and facingwhich have a print 10 248/468, 476 477, 495, 496 disposed between them.The clip comprises a channel member in which the facing and backing areheld. A 5 R f spring is pivotally'mounted on the channel member eerences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS and 1s positionable to urge thebacking and facing against one side of the channel member. Locking:Ogla. means are included for keeping the pring in engage- 59 4/1962 il? ment with the backing and facing. 3,049,772 8/1962 Anderson 24/49 C 9Claims, 3 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 9 1975 Sheet 1 of 2 3,924,307

US. Patent 'Dec.9 1975 Sheet2o f2. 3,924,307

. PICTURE FRAMING CLIP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Present trends in artand design have caused an increasing popularity in the geometric andmodernistic framing of pieces of art such as prints, etchings,engravings and the like. One of the more popular framing techniques isthat of floating a print. In this sort of arrangement, a print is placedon a transparent background sheet which is larger than the print, andanother transparent face made of a material such as lucite or glass isplaced over it. The arrangement is then clipped together tightly,thereby securing the print in position. In this arrangement, the clipsare mounted on the corners of the mounted print or at the top and bottomof the print. The clips are then connected to each other in the rear ofthe frame with a string or a metal band.

The presence of the string in back of the framed picture, although itdoes not present a disadvantage in the case where the printis heldbetween an opaque backing and a transparent facing, is unsightly if onedesires to frame a print or transparency between two transparent sheets.Naturally, if one attempted to frame a picture in this manner, theconnecting wire behind the frame would be visible and unsightly. Thus,if one desired to achieve this sort of effect with the prior art, it wasnot possible to use clips. Instead, conventional frame molding had to beresorted to. This sort of arrangement is more expensive and somewhatmore inconvenient to install in comparison to clip frames.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, clipsare provided which allow one to float a print between a transparentfacing and a backing which may or may not be transparent. The clipcomprises a channel member in which the combination of the transparentfacing, print and backing are positioned. A curved leaf spring ispivotally and slidably mounted at one of its ends on the channel member.The spring may be rotated in such a manner that a curved section of itpasses through an elongated slot in one side of the channel member. Whenit is desired to secure the facing to the backing, the unmounted end ofthe leaf spring is urged toward the backing and locked in that position.This biases the curved part of the leaf spring against the backing andthe facing, thereby urging them against the channel wall and securingthem to each other. The clip also includes serrations for receiving andholding a nail from which the framed print is to hang.

It is thus seen that a frame clip constructed in accordance with thepresent invention does not require strings, wires or any otherattachments between the clips. It is therefore possible to float a printbetween two transparent sheets. The clips may also be used to frame artin a more conventional manner, that is, sandwiched between a transparentand nontransparent sheet. Clips constructed in accordance with thepresent invention will function well with a multilayer array of sheetsof various thicknesses, enabling the use of cut out border mats. It isalso possible, if it is desired, to mount a single sheet, which may beaccomplished with a single clip on top of the sheet. The versatility ofthe clips is due to the fact that the gap formed between the channelmember wall and the leaf spring in the clip will 2 expand or contract toaccommodate a wide range of thicknesses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of apicture framed using a pair of clips constructed in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the rear of FIG. 1 illustrating thefunction of the clips; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a clip constructed in accordance withthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. I, aprint 1 framed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated.The print is held in place between a transparent facing 2 and a backing3, which may or may not be transparent. Facing 2 and backing 3 are heldtogether by a pair of clips 4, constructed in accordance with thepresent invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, when in position, the pair of clips 4 comprisea U-shaped channel member 5 having a top portion 6, a front portion 7and a rear portion 8. Facing 2 and backing 3 are placed between frontportion 7 and rear portion 8. The facing and backing are urged againstfront portion 7 by a curved leaf spring 9. When in use, leaf spring 9has both its ends in engagement with rear portion 8.. Since facing 2 andbacking 3 are positioned inside the channel member, they tend tostraighten curved leaf spring 9, thereby causing the leaf spring to urgethem toward each other and front portion 7.

As can be seen most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, spring 9 is pivotally andslidably mounted in an opening 10 in rear portion 8 of channel member 5.Spring 9 is retained in position in opening 10 by shoulders 11 and 12 onthe leaf spring. The leaf spring is thus free to translate a shortdistance within opening 10, thereby enabling the flexing of the springas well as the operation of a locking mechanism formed by locking tab 13and tab retaining surface 14.

When it is desired to use the clip to frame a print, the print 1 isplaced between facing sheet 2 and backing sheet 3. The clip 4, which isin the position shown in FIG. 3, is then placed over the two sheets. Aclosing flange 15 of spring 9 is then depressed toward the channelmember 5. This causes teeth 16 to securely engage the back of backing 3.Of course, any other mechanization that provides a high coefficient offriction may be used instead of teeth 16, such as a rubber coating.Channel member 5 is then slid in the direction indicated by arrows 17 or18, thereby aligning locking tab 13 with tab window 19. Channel member 5is then displaced in the direction indicated by arrow 17. This causeslocking tab 13 to slide underneath tab retaining surface 14, therebysecurely locking it in position. Tab 20 is a limit tab which does notalign with tab window 19, but strikes the outer portion of rear portion8 opposite tab retaining surface 14, thereby preventing closing flange15 from being depressed further than is necessary. During movement ofchannel member 5, leaf spring 9 is prevented from moving due to the factthat teeth 16 are securely in engagement with backing 3.

When it is desired to remove the clip in order to change the print orfor some other reason, this may be most easily done by sliding channelmember 5 in the direction indicated by arrow 18. This causes the lockingtab 13 of leaf spring 9 to once again come into alignment with tabwindow 19. When this condition occurs, spring 9 is caused to resume theposition illustrated in FIG. 3. This action is aided by the action ofspring bar 21 which is formed to bear against rear portion 8 unless thespring is in its fully outward position as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The hanging of the picture is made without the use of any wire or otherband connecting the two connectors. Specifically, the clip includesserrations 22 adapted to receive a nail. The clip also includes anindented surface 23 which allows clearance for that portion of the nailbelow its head.

While I have described a particular embodiment of the invention, it isunderstood that various changes, such as changes in the proportions andsize of the parts, may be made by one skilled in the art, and it iscontemplated that these changes are within the scope of the invention asdefined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A picture framing clip adapted to mount over the edges and securetogether a plurality of planar sheets to form a picture frame, said clipcomprising:

a7 a generally U-shaped channel member having opposing front and rearwall portions, said front wall portion being adapted to engage one sideof said plurality of sheets;

b. resilient clamp means slidably mounted on the rear wall portion ofsaid channel member and configured, dimensioned, and positioned toengage the opposite side of said plurality of sheets and to be put intospring-biased relation to said plurality of sheets; and

0. locking means for securing said resilient clamp -means inspring-biased relation to the opposite side of said plurality of sheetswhen the clamp means is slidably displaced to a first position withrespect to said channel member and for releasing the clamp means whenthe resilient clamp means is slidably displaced to a second positionwith respect to the channel member.

2. A picture framing clip as in claim 1, wherein said resilient clampmeans is a curved leaf spring having first and second ends which isslidably mounted at one of said ends on said rear wall portion.

3. A picture framing clip as in claim 2, wherein said locking meanssecures the other end of said curved leaf spring to said rear wallportion in a position where the curved portion of said curved leafspring extends toward said front wall portion to clamp said plurality ofsheets between said curved leaf spring and said front wall portion.

4. A picture framing clip as in claim 3, wherein said curved leaf springincludes means for increasing the coefficient of friction of the surfaceof said spring that faces said front wall portion.

5. A picture framing clip as in claim 3, wherein said rear wall portiondefines an aperture having a tab window and said locking means comprisesa locking tab secured to said curved leaf spring, said tab window beingaligned with said locking tab when said curved leaf spring is in a firstposition and said locking tab being moved out of alignment with said tabwindow when said curved leaf spring is slidably displaced relative to'said first position to lock said other end of said curved leaf springto said rear wall portion.

6. A picture framing clip as in claim 3, wherein said rear wall portionincludes an aperture and said aperture is provided with a first edgehaving a relatively high friction surface and a second edge defined by asection of said rear wall portion which is indented toward said frontwall portion.

7. A picture framing clip as in claim 3, wherein said rear wall portionincludes an aperture and said curved leaf spring is mounted on said rearwall portion by extending through said aperture, said aperture beingelongated in shape and allowing said curved spring to slide in saidaperture, said curved leaf spring including relatively large portionsdisposed on both sides of said aperture to maintain said spring withinsaid aperture.

8. A picture framing clip as in claim 7, wherein said rear wall portiondefines a second aperture having a tab window and said locking meanscomprises a locking tab secured to said curved leaf spring, said tabwindow being aligned with said locking tab when said curved leaf springis in a first position and said locking tab being moved out of alignmentwith said tab window when said curved leaf spring is slidably displacedrelative to said first position to lock said other end of said curvedleaf spring to said rear wall portion.

9. A picture framing clip as in claim 8, further comprising a secondspring for urging said second end of said curved spring away from saidfront wall portion.

1. A picture framing clip adapted to mount over the edges and securetogether a plurality of planar sheets to form a picture frame, said clipcomprising: a. a generally U-shaped channel member having opposing frontand rear wall portions, said front wall portion being adapted to engageone side of said plurality of sheets; b. resilient clamp means slidablymounted on the rear wall portion of said channel member and configured,dimensioned, and positioned to engage the opposite side of saidplurality of sheets and to be put into spring-biased relation to saidplurality of sheets; and c. locking means for securing said resilientclamp means in spring-biased relation to the opposite side of saidplurality of sheets when the clamp means is slidably displaced to afirst position with respect to said channel member and for releasing theclamp means when the resilient clamp means is slidably displaced to asecond position with respect to the channel member.
 2. A picture framingclip as in claim 1, wherein said resilient clamp means is a curved leafspring having first and second ends which is slidably mounted at one ofsaid ends on said rear wall portion.
 3. A picture framing clip as inclaim 2, wherein said locking means secures the other end of said curvedleaf spring to said rear wall portion in a position where the curvedportion of said curved leaf spring extends toward said front wallportion to clamp said plurality of sheets between said curved leafspring and said front wall portion.
 4. A picture framing clip as inclaim 3, wherein said curved leaf spring includes means for increasingthe coefficient of friction of the surface of said spring that facessaid front wall portion.
 5. A picture framing clip as in claim 3,wherein said rear wall portion defines an aperture having a tab windowand said locking means comprises a locking tab secured to said curvedleaf spring, said tab window being aligned with said locking tab whensaid curved leaf spring is in a first position and said locking tabbeing moved out of alignment with said tab window when said curved leafspring is slidably displaced relative to said first position to locksaid other end of said curved leaf spring to said rear wall portion. 6.A picture framing clip as in claim 3, wherein said rear wall portionincludes an aperture and said aperture is provided with a first edgehaving a relatively high friction surface and a second edge defined by asection of said rear wall portion which is indented toward said frontwall portion.
 7. A picture framing clip as in claim 3, wherein said rearwall portion includes an aperture and said curved leaf spring is mountedon said rear wall portion by extending through said aperture, saidaperture being elongated in shape and allowing said curved spring toslide in said aperture, said curved leaf spring including relativelylarge portions disposed on both sides of said aperture to maintain saidspring within said aperture.
 8. A picture framing clip as in claim 7,wherein said rear wall portion defines a second aperture having a tabwindow and said locking means comprises a locking tab secured to saidcurved leaf spring, said tab window being Aligned with said locking tabwhen said curved leaf spring is in a first position and said locking tabbeing moved out of alignment with said tab window when said curved leafspring is slidably displaced relative to said first position to locksaid other end of said curved leaf spring to said rear wall portion. 9.A picture framing clip as in claim 8, further comprising a second springfor urging said second end of said curved spring away from said frontwall portion.